The utility of the MABC-2 for measuring motor impairment in children with ADHD: Examining measurement invariance in children with and without symptoms of ADHD

It is important to screen for motor impairments in ADHD due to high comorbidity, yet little is known about the validity of established and standardized motor assessment batteries in children with symptoms of ADHD. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the utility of using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children - 2nd Edition (MABC-2) in children aged 7-9 years with symptoms of ADHD. To achieve this, measurement invariance of the MABC-2 was examined between children with and without symptoms of ADHD. A total of 479 children (n = 277 boys, n = 387 white, n = 66 with ADHD), participated in this study. Children were classified as having ADHD through parental report on the Conner's Parent Rating Scales. Measurement invariance was assesses using a multi-group CFA. A three correlated factor model (Manual Dexterity, Throwing and Catching, Balance) fit the data extremely well (RMSEA = 0.030, SRMR = 0.030, CFI = 0.987, TLI = 0.981) and configural, metric, scalar, and partial strict invariance was demonstrated between children with and without ADHD. These results provide evidence to support the use of the MABC-2 to assess motor impairments in children with symptoms ADHD.